System and method for data traffic redirection

Abstract

A system and method for intelligently redirecting data traffic from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a data network. The system can include: an intelligent communications platform connected between a switch and a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network to intercept SS7 messages between the switch and the SS7 network; and a communications control module connected to the intelligent communications platform via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) link, the communications control module for providing management and communications to the ICP and providing access to the management and communication for a plurality of subscribers. The ICP can include an SS7 I/O card for processing SS7 messages and a CPU card for processing ISUP and TCAP. The communications control module can include: instructions for receiving messages from other ICPs for updated information on congestion on certain routes. The communications control module can also include instructions for receiving messages from other ICPs for updated information on congestion on certain routes. The communications control module can include: instructions for the plurality of subscribers to enter respective access line availability, alternative access numbers; and instructions for a plurality of users to populate respective user profiles. The GUI can allow internet service providers (ISP) to update information on status of a plurality of modem banks within the ISP, and can allow a network engineer to view traffic congestion and redirect traffic if necessary.

1. Apparatus for intelligently redirecting data traffic from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a data network, the apparatus comprising:
 an Intelligent Communications Platform (ICP) connected between a switch and a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network to intercept SS7 messages between the switch and the SS7 network and to instruct the switch to redirect data traffic to the data network in response to one or more of the intercepted SS7 messages; and  
 a communications control module connected to the intelligent communications platform via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) link, the communications control module for providing management and communications to the ICP and providing access to the management and communication for a plurality of subscribers.  
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the ICP includes:
 an SS7 I/O card for processing SS7 messages; and  
 a CPU card for processing ISUP and TCAP.  
 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communications control module includes:
 instructions for receiving messages from other ICPs for updated information on congestion on certain routes.  
 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the switch is located at a central office. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communications control module includes:
 instructions for the plurality of subscribers to enter respective access line availability, alternative access numbers; and  
 instructions for a plurality of users to populate respective user profiles.  
 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a GUI allows internet service providers (ISP) to update information on status of a plurality of modem banks within the ISP. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a GUI allows a network engineer to view traffic congestion and redirect traffic if necessary. 
   
   
     8. A system for intelligently redirecting data traffic from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a data network, the system comprising a recordable medium, the recordable medium further comprising:
 instructions for an Intelligent Communications Platform (ICP) connected between a switch and a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network to intercept SS7 messages between the switch and the SS7 network and to instruct the switch to redirect data traffic to the data network in response to one or more of the intercepted SS7 messages; and  
 instructions for a communications control module connected to the intelligent communications platform via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) link to provide management and communications to the ICP and to provide access to the management and communication for a plurality of subscribers.  
 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 8  wherein the recordable medium further comprises:
 instructions for an SS7 I/O card to process SS7 messages; and  
 instructions for a CPU card to process ISUP and TCAP.  
 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 8  wherein the recordable medium further comprises instructions for receiving messages from other ICPs for updated information on congestion on certain routes. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 8  wherein the recordable medium further comprises:
 instructions for the plurality of subscribers to enter respective access line availability, alternative access numbers; and  
 instructions for a plurality of users to populate respective user profiles.  
 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 8  wherein the recordable medium further comprises instructions for a GUI to allow internet service providers (ISP) to update information on status of a plurality of modem banks within the ISP. 
   
   
     13. The system of  claim 8  wherein the recordable medium further comprises instructions for a GUI to allow a network engineer to view traffic congestion and redirect traffic if necessary. 
   
   
     14. A method for intelligently redirecting data traffic from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a data network, the method comprising:
 intercepting Signaling System 7 (SS7) messages by an Intelligent Communications Platform (ICP) connected between a switch and a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network, wherein the SS7 messages are from the switch and to the SS7 network;  
 instructing the switch to redirect data traffic from the PSTN to the data network in response to one or more of the intercepted SS7 messages;  
 providing management and communications control from a communications control module connected to the intelligent communications platform via a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) link; and  
 providing access to the comunications control module to a plurality of subscribers.  
 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 14  further including:
 processing SS7 messages with an SS7 I/O card; and  
 processing ISUP and TCAP messages with a CPU card.  
 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 14  further including receiving messages from other ICPs for updated information on congestion on certain routes. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 14  wherein the instructing to redirect the data traffic includes redirecting the data traffic to the data network without the data traffic going through the ICP. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 14  further including:
 providing the ability for the plurality of subscribers to enter respective access line availability, alternative access numbers; and  
 providing the ability for a plurality of users to populate respective user profiles.  
 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 14  further including providing the ability for a GUI to allow internet service providers (OSP) to update information on status of a plurality of modem banks within the ISP. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 14  further including providing the ability for a GUI to allow a network engineer to view traffic congestion and redirect traffic if necessary.